Foundation DegreeCommercial Photography & CinematographyValidated by The Open University
Qualifications
Foundation Degree in Commercial Photography & Cinematography
Overview
This Foundation Degree in Commercial Photography and Cinematography Validated by The Open University is a creative and practically oriented programme designed for those who wish to gain the skills and experience necessary for the photography and cinematography industries.
You will be engaged in the making of various visual projects, encompassing a wide range of photographic genres, commercial cinematography, corporate cinematography, sound recording, editing and colour grading. In doing so, you will have opportunities to explore a range of industry roles and network with local experts in the field. The aim of the programme is to increase your technical competence, hone your creativity and develop autonomy.
Covering a range of pre-production, production, and post-production roles in a highly collaborative nature, this 2-year programme facilitates learners to enter the industry with confidence and even a sense of familiarity.
This course will allow access to our state-of-the-art studio facilities and the use of professional lighting, camera and sound equipment including Sony A7Siii’s, Red Komodo’s, Medium Format Cameras, BMPCC4K’s, Ursa Minis, Canon C300’s, Aputure and Nanlite lighting and Rode, Zoom and Seinnheiser sound equipment. In second year, learners will also get training in dark room techniques and shooting 35mm film photography. We also have a state-of-the-art large format photographic printer allowing us to print professional photos in-house.
Our lecturers continue to develop in their practice and are active in the industry providing learners with the most up to date and industry relevant training. We are a Blackmagic Design Education Partner, and our lecturers are certified trainers with Blackmagic design. Da Vinci Resolve provides cutting edge editing, colour, sound, and VFX post-production as well as industry leading collaboration features. Lecturers are also certified in Lightroom, photoshop, capture one, premier pro, and avid media composer
E3 Studios is uniquely equipped with fully operational, state-of-the-art production studios that are designed to give students hands-on experience of the industry, we deliver award winning bespoke courses in Film, Factual Television & Journalism, VFX and Commercial Photography & Videography.
This programme of study is likely to include enrichment units which are an additional component to enhance your employability.
Key Areas of Study:
Cinematography (Lighting and Camera)
Photography (Lighting and Camera)
Video Editing
Photo Editing
Colour Grading
Audio Mixing
Capturing and developing film photography
Working with clients
Developing your artistic voice
Ready to take your career to the next level in Photography & Cinematography? Explore the links below to learn more about our validated awards and regulations:
OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.
Student's guide to studying on a programme validated by The Open University
Regulations for validated awards of The Open University
Applications to this course can be made through UCAS using code U428. If you haven’t started a UCAS application yet, and only want to apply to Belfast Met, you can apply directly to us using Apply Now option and we will process a UCAS application on your behalf. IMPORTANT: Applicants must only choose one method of application.
The minimum entry requirement accepted for this course is 80 Tariff Points. Depending on the number of applications, we may have to increase this.
You will also need to have a keen interest in image making and content creation. Prior experience and/or qualifications in Moving Image/Art/Media/Film is not mandatory but would be highly beneficial.
Minimum entry requirements are pre-defined by the College’s admissions criteria, which can be found by visiting our entry criteria page on this link
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) for HE Courses
APL allows you to use evidence from prior learning or experience to gain entry onto a course at Belfast Met. Belfast Met will work with you to make sure that relevant learning or work experience is formally recognised through the APL Process. For more information see Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) Process - Guidance for applicants. If you would like more information, or if you decide you would like to use the APL process, please contact the Course Co-ordinator. Contact details are provided at the end of these slides and on the course details page on Belfast Met website.
Fees:
Academic period 2026*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Academic period 2027*:
Tuition Fee = £3235.00
Fees are payable annually.
*The fees have not been finalised and may be subject to change.
Visit our Student Funding page here to find out how to fund your studies
All fees are set in accordance with DfE regulations.
Please contact the student loan company if you require a loan or our Funding Team by emailing studentfunding@belfastmet.ac.uk for other options.
Whenever possible, we make our assessment methods practical in a way which reflects industry, with written components primarily being used to reinforce technical understanding and personally reflect on own performance. However, research is a core component to the development of any skillset, and so will be tested through written assessment alongside academic writing skills appropriate to the foundation degree level.
E3 Studios at Belfast Met are a member of the Blackmagic Design Education Partner Programme which aims to support and develop leading Media and Broadcast focused institutions with dedicated resources. This partnership helps us empower students to become confident, experienced industry ready graduates.
Careers
The structure of our Commercial Photography and Cinematography course ensures you have a wide variety of experience in a range of photography and cinematography genres. Therefore, our students will graduate from the course with 2 years’ worth of relevant experience that proves to mirror industry standards, making the transition into the photography and cinematography industries outside the college as seamless as possible. Career prospects include:
- Cinematographer
- Photographer (corporate, studio, wedding, product, fashion, street, photo journalism)
- Freelance Videographer
- Editor
- Lighting Technician
- Colourist
- DIT
- Digitech
- Social Media Manager
Our courses also accommodate to those wishing to further their studies, particularly through top-up degrees that have been established with various partnering universities across the UK. These allow students who graduate from our course to go on to complete just one more year at another university to gain a full undergraduate degree.
Interests
Image Making
Story Telling
Content Creation
Photography
Editing
Film Production
Film Photography
Dark Room
Colour Grading
Camera Work
Art
Commercial Photography & Cinematography Gallery
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